SRman

I'm glad you said that Peter: I have been running a few "different" things on Newton Broadway lately. Things like Danish and German trains! Your layout is looking great as always, and also your photography to match.

I have two Hornby Sapphire decoders, which are reasonably competent efforts, but not really good value, in my opinion. All other Hornby decoders (those that are still living, anyway!) are relegated to use as function-only decoders in things like DMU Driving Trailers, centre cars or dummy Driving Motors. All of my Hornby decoders (apart from the Sapphires) were acquired in DCC-fitted models that were on sale for less than the cost of the non-DCC versions of the same models. The models themselves were upgraded to better decoders.

Nostalgia, Doug: I so enjoyed the trip to Copenhagen and on their rail system through to Hamburg that I had to get a few models to remind myself of that trip. I want to do it all again! I am limiting it to four main trains - three passenger, one freight - and three German locos and two Danish ones, once I can get the A.C.M.E. DSB EA electric loco that's due out soon. Then it will be back to British. Still in keeping with my Danish/European sub-theme, I managed to purchase a reasonably priced ESU LokSound v. 4 decoder brand new. I downloaded a sound file from ESU's online libraries of sound projects for a Danish DSB ME diesel-electric locomotive and fitted the decoder into my HobbyTrade example of this locomotive type. I used two differently sized 'sugar cube' speakers to get a better tonal range - the bigger double with large sound chamber I wanted to put in was too big to fit. I wasn't thinking and instead of wiring them in parallel to achieve a 4 ohm total rating, I wired them in series, giving 16 ohm impedance, but it actually worked very well this way, with nice clear and loud sound: loud enough that I had to turn the volume down quite a lot with CV 63 now set to 80 instead of the default 192. I think the horn volumes may need to be increased a little though, which is possible but I'll have to look for the correct CV values for those two sound slots.

If you leave everything motored, spend some (tedious!) time speed-matching them all so they run nicely together. I would suggest creating consists for the class 20s as pairs, then using consists within consists to put it all together. The S Stock simply works with the two motors on the same DCC address (no consist). As an example: 2 x cl20 as consist 126. 2 x cl 20 as consist 127. S Stock as (say) 89 for both DMs. New consist 125 made up of 126 leading, 127 trailing, and 89 in the middle. It sounds complicated, but allows you to separate the sets and control each 'unit consist' separately again for shunting purposes.

Originally the trains had bauxite/red oxide coloured roofs, but, as one author put it: the roofs soon became tunnel coloured! I tend to use Humbrol #66 (olive drab, actually a dark slaty grey) for all of my red underground models' roofs.

I bought some etched brass deflectors many, many years ago for the same reasons (to forward date a Hornby 'Eton'). I cannot for the life of me remember whose they were, but it means that such things may possibly still be available.

I'm not sure if you can do this with the basic command station, but if possible, try selecting 128 speed steps for the decoder control as well.

Lenz and Zimo both have very good decoders at the budget end of the price range. I do like ESU LokPilots as well, and recently bought a few at reasonable prices - they are easier to set up to match their sound decoders in behaviour. For the cheaper end, I do like TCS decoders, although their prices seem to have risen locally in recent years, making them less attractive against the likes of Lenz and Zimo. TCS advantage if dabbling is their 'goof-proof' warranty, where if you blow up a decoder, whether your own fault or not, they will replace it. For very small applications (e.g. Bachmann's Wickham trolley), CT Elektronik decoders offer good quality and fine control and high power capabilities, although they can be a little fiddly to fine-tune. Avoid cheap Hornby decoders - low power capabilities and no overload protection. I also don't like Digitrax decoders, and only have two left in service at present.

Bus red was used from 1973/4. Before that it was the darker train red. Even so, trains of mixed colours could be seen for quite a while after 1973, where the contrast between the two reds was more obvious. this applied to the 1938 tube stock and the CO/CP stocks on the 'surface' lines.

We might have to call The Doctor to explain how the time-lines are getting crossed again!

Sounds like polarity of the LED for the firebox might be reversed.

Simon Kohler recommended a Loctite glue when we spoke to him many years ago on exactly this topic, but I can't remember which number Loctite he said. I do recall I could not find that particular one in any of our Australian hardware shops. It could be worth sending a query to him through Hornby. My own solution is a bit more laborious but works almost permanently: that is to drill a #76 hole centrally through the pins on the brake rods, and insert Peco track pins through from behind the hangers. The track pins are a good interference fit into the rods, and are cut off flush with the outside of the rods. They can be additionally secured with a drop of superglue if desired. I hope the photos make this a little clearer, in spite of being a little out of focus. Bulleid Brake Rigging Mod - 3 cropped by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr Bulleid Brake Rigging Mod - 4 cropped by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr

A video showing the above European models running on Newton Broadway.

Kangaroos are totally harmless ... http://www.scoopnest.com/user/SBSNews/1104162379703689222-watch-the-moment-a-paraglider-makes-a-safe-landing-only-to-then-be-attacked-by-a-kangaroo-straya

To have a few other trains to run alongside the Danish/Swedish unit, I have been dabbling with a few passenger and freight models from Roco and Piko, with locos from Piko (mostly their very basic, budget range) and a lucky purchase from eBay of a HobbyTrade DSB ME diesel electric loco. The first of the wagons were two Roco steel wagons, one with sliding tarpaulin, the other of the telescoping hood style. I have started weathering both wagons, seen in the company with DB class BR 185, 185 066. P_20190302_124011_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190303_165439_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr DSB ME 1506 seen posed on its own, then with a short train of Roco DSB coaches, beside DB 185 066. P_20190226_170559_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190226_212100_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190226_212047_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr In the meantime, some more European wagons and locos arrived, from the Roco and Piko ranges. I have not as yet weathered any of the new arrivals. I am sure the train formation is not particularly prototypical, but it adds a nice splash of colour to the Continental contingent. The locos are another BR 185, 185 540, in Kassel Huskies livery, and 182 003 in standard DB traffic red. P_20190306_205829_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190306_205939_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190306_205809_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190306_210053_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190309_103008_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190309_103034_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr Back with the British railways, just arrived at Newton Broadway is my second Golden Valley Hobbies Janus industrial diesel electric loco. I actually ordered this one sound-fitted around two to three years ago. Anyway, it ran perfectly straight out of the box, and the legomanbiffo sound fitted as standard is superb. In line with all of my fictional industrial locos, she now sports name and number plates from Narrow Planet, in my own series for No. 17, Amy. P_20190309_102518_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190309_102530_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr Additionally, I managed to get a Heljan green Western diesel hydraulic, D1002, Western Explorer, with some detailing and weathering already done. More to the point, I got it at a reasonable price. P_20190309_121728_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr P_20190309_121823_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr

True, but because the track voltage remains at a constant level, the power supply to the decoder (i.e. the on-board DC controller) is also more reliable, particularly for slow speed running, and allows somewhat better motor control than straight DC even with the cheaper decoders. Dirty track or wheels will interfere with both analogue DC and DCC, of course, but overall, DCC will give better running in most cases (it would be easy to oversimplify, and leave i at that, but even then, some decoders don't work well with some motors, as many people have discovered the hard way).

Coming in a bit late on this topic: I have a rotary multi-pole switch feeding my programming track, with one of the pole pairs attached to a simple DC controller for running-in or testing purposes. In conjunction with a rolling road (mine is from DCC Concepts, but there are many alternatives), locos can be run-in on DC before fitting with a decoder then programming on the same track. Even as I type this, I have a loco running on the rolling road on DC power. Not necessarily of relevance here, but maybe of interest to some, the other poles on the rotary switch are attached to: an NCE Power Cab - perfect for simple programming and setting up of decoders the main NCE Power Pro system - also good for programming, but not always as effective as the Power Cab, but can be used with the attached computer and JMRI Decoder Pro where more complex programming jobs are desired (e.g. function remapping) an ESU LokProgrammer - for reblowing or trouble-shooting ESU LokSound decoders, via the computer attached to it two isolated positions with no connections This is probably over-complicated for most people's needs, but I find it works well for me and my own requirements. Provender Store Progress 30-07-17 - 2 by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr Edit: Of course, a much simpler solution would be to use a DPDT switch feeding the programming track either DCC or DC.

I came across this quite by accident when I was searching for something else entirely: https://www.britishpathe.com/video/double-decker-train It may be of interest, I hope.

I would not be surprised if the DD didn't have blue asbestos, seeing as many of the earlier build SR units lasted longer in service than later built units (from the late 1950s) which had blue asbestos so were retired before the older units, which were asbestos free.

The last batch had additional angled gutters along the roofs as well as the features mentioned by Paul and Robert. I'm not sure if Bachmann intend to do all of the possible variations. The single piece toilet windows should be an easy change, but the phase 2 window frames probably need a complete new mould for each coach. Don't forget the shallower headcode panels too on the last batch.Bachmann have not offered any of the variations on their 2 EPB models, so maybe they'll just limit themselves to the one (or two) suitable batches of HAPs.

I was going to suggest something of the sort myself, Jason, but I was only guessing that would be the case. You have confirmed my less-informed guesses.

Fuel spillage or leakage from the breathers combined with rail and exhaust grime. Those bulges are the fuel tanks.

I am so sorry to hear of Collin's passing. He was a truly excellent modeller, but was also very helpful and supportive of we who are not quite so good modellers. His responses to my efforts were always positive and friendly. I didn't know him personally, but nevertheless, he will be missed. Jeff Lynn.

I have done some further re-engineering of the IC3 unit, and it now runs happily around the layout, including through reverse curves with no problems. Improvements/modifications have included adding self-tapping screws to locate the inner ends of the centre bogies (replacing useless little moulded plastic 'pips', adding a fair amount of lead weight to the outer driving cars, extending the spigots on top of the powered bogies to ensure the leading and trailing cars can't pop off, thus keeping the weight on the powered bogies, and bending the rather stiff wires to keep them clear of the pivot points (the wires really need replacing with thinner, more flexible wiring, but that can be done later). The result is a DMU that I can set off running, and sit back and enjoy. I have uploaded a short video to YouTube to show it off. As an aside, the Swedish livery doesn't look too out of place against some of my Network South East stock! To give an idea of the size of the real things, the Heljan model is HO scale, and doesn't look all that small against the British OO stock, but the fairest comparison is to put it side by side with the HO scale NSW interurban V set. P_20190216_110950_vHDR_On by Jeffrey Lynn, on Flickr/url

I bought a Merchant Navy with TTS sound, but didn't really like the TTS sounds at all ... at least, not for an MN. I thought they sounded more like a 2-cylinder job, so removed the sound and speaker from the MN and fitted it into the tender of a BR Standard 4MT, where, to me, it seems to sound more appropriate.